Glazer&#39;s offset locking strip tool



June 1959 s. PASSAGE ETAL.

GLAZER'S OFFSET LOCKING STRIP TOOL Filed Aug. 17, 1967 INVENTORS STEVEN PASSAGE JOHN L. TURNER ATTY United States Patent US. Cl. 29-235 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure concerns a tool for installing panels and panes such as glass windows, Windshields, wood, plastic, metal and the like, in yieldable mountings where the mounting contains not only a receiving groove for the panel or pane but a locking groove which is opened or spread by the tool while a locking strip is guided therein to the operative locking position, thereby bringing yieldable pressure against the receiving groove to hold the panel in firm, weatherproof, locking engagement, all in a continuous, including around corners and sharp curves, fast and sure manner, with a two-handed grip on the tool.

In recent building construction, particularly in highrise buildings, the mounting of glass for windows and other panels has been greatly facilitated by the use of weather stripping yieldable mountings. It is now standard practice to use a yieldable mounting such as rubber or other equivalent material which is substantially waterproof and weatherproof, for setting windows and the like. The mounting is embedded in the concrete, brick, or other framework for windows or openings, in a permanent holding position. The weather stripping is provided with a continuous channel for receiving the glass or other panel either before or after the frame is in the building structure, and also a locking channel for locking a sealing strip therein. The locking or sealing strip spreads the locking channel, exerting a yieldable pressure through the receiving channel against the outer surface of the glass or other panel, to retain the same in the receiving channel in water and weatherproof position. Of course, the locking strip may be removed so that the glass or otherpanel can be removed in the event of breakage or other damage. However, the locking strip when removed is not to be replaced because it is not only simpler and cheaper to put in a new one, but better results are obtained in the sealing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple tool for spreading the locking channel'and simultaneously'guiding and directing the locking strip into the channel in its operative position.

Heretofore it has been necessary to use a tool to accomplish this purpose but in so doing only relative straight line passes could be accomplished with the tool, and the tool must be removed from the locking strip at corners or sharp curves to permit the strip to be fed in by a putty knife or screwdriver. It is an object of the present invention therefore, to eliminate the necessity for removing the tool from the continuous strip and to accomplish the insertion of the sealing strip continuously in the locking position without removing the strip from the tool around corners and around sharp bends or curves.

It has been the experience of glazers that in inserting the locking strip with the tools presently available that it takes great strength and pressure to spread the locking groove and guide and direct the locking strip into position within the groove. Only one hand has been available for such effort. It is therefore another object of the present invention to provide a tool in which a two-handed grip is useful in the sealing operation so that elements and causes of exceptional fatigue are eliminated In addition, the tools presently available require the gripping hand on the tool to be in close proximity with the concrete, metal, brickwork or other construction material in which the weatherproofed gripping means is held in the structure. Any slip or sudden release of resistance 1 with the prior tools causes the hand to scrape against the construction materials and injures and skins the knuckles and hands of the operator. Injuries to the hand and continued abrasions and injuries are a constant hazard to the operator, and a frequent cause of absenteeism. It is therefore a further object of the present invention to provide a tool which directs the gripping hands away from the supporting'construction, so that any slip or release of resistance will not cause any injury to the hands and in fact, will prevent such injury.

Where such yieldable mounting weather stripping means has been used, particularly in buildings, it is plainly apparent that the window settings which are prepared in advance and installed with the panes in place are in huge numbers. Accordingly, the sealing strip is applied after the window frames and panes are in position in the structure. In the Santa Cruz Court House, Santa Cruz, Calif., there were some 1400 Windows involved, each of which was sealed in this manner. To insert the sealing strip on such a vast number of Windows requires a hand operation consuming an enormous amount of time. Everytime a corner or sharp bend was encountered it was necessary to remove the tool from the locking strip and to use a putty knife or screwdriver to open the locking groove and physically force the sealing strip into the locked position. The damage to the weather stripping sealing means by the use of sharp tools such as putty knives and screwdrivers by chewing and cutting the sealing edges is most apparent and the time consumed in so doing is very great. The tool must then be re'threaded on the strip before work can continue. It is a primary purpose of the tool of this invention to provide a means where the sealing strip can be set into the locking position continuously, around corners and curves, without cutting the sealing strip and without employing any additional tools such a putty knives and screwdrivers. It has been estimated that the tool of the present invention represents a saving of from thirty to fifty percent of the time required to insert the sealing and locking strips with tools presently available. When this is multiplied by the number of panels or panes to be sealed, there is some appreciation of the enormous amount of time which this tool saves.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and disassembly, also such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will fully appear and as are inherently possessed by the device and invention described herein.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the same is illustrative of the invention and that the invention is capable of modification and change and comprehends other details of construction without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the tool of this inven- FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional View of the yieldable weather stripping mounting with the glass pane inserted in the receiving slot and the sealing strip spaced from the locking groove; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGURE 4 but with the sealing strip in locked position in the sealing groove of the mount.

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts in the several views, the background for and the use of the tool which is generally designed by the numeral is best explained by references to'FIGURES 4 and 5.

--Although the yieldable mounting comes in several different forms for use in windows, Windshields and other panel inserts, the basic structure is shown by the yieldable mounting 11. In this mounting there is a groove 12 which forms a continuous channel for receiving the glass pane 14 or other suitable panel with a friction fit. The base 15 abuts the supporting opening frame or building structure which is here shown to be concrete 16, into which is embedded the integral retaining portion 17. This integral retaining portion 17 has outwardly formed continuous teeth 18 for making sure the retention is of a permanent nature. The base 15 has marginal tips 20 which when formed extend below the base 15, but when in position against the concrete 16 flatten out to give a knife-edge sealing engagement with the supporting structural material 16. The yieldable member 11 also has a continuous locking channel 21. This channel is relatively narrow when formed and is provided with two inwardly directed continuous ridges 22.

The continuous sealing strip is shown in section as 23. It is also yieldable but is shaped in section to substantially conform to the shape of the locking channel 21 when it is expanded laterally to accommodate the sealing strip 23. The sealing strip 23 is provided adjacent its outer surface with a longitudinal channel 24 at either side. When in position as shown in FIGURE 5, the grooves 24 receive the corresponding ridges 22 of the locking channel 21,

and therefore lock the strip 23 in position on the yieldable receiving member 11, against everything except deliberate removal. As a consequence of the insertion of the sealing strip 23, the mouth of the locking channel 21 is extended causing the portion 25 of the yielding member 11 to exert a distorting pressure against the lip 25 which makes a yielding sealing pressure against the pane 14. This pressure grips the pane so firmly that it cannot move, rattle or leak. When the sealing strip 23 is in position completely around the pane 14, the yieldable member 11 holds the pane 14 with firm engagement with weathertight sealing without the addition of caulking, putty or any type of seating for the glass.

To accomplish the insertion of the continuous sealing strip 23 in the locking channel 21, a tool has been provided which is shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. Essentially it consists of a metal bar strong enough to resist deformation when dropped or otherwise handled. Although the longitudinal portion is shown as square in section in the drawings, obviously it can be any suitable cross section at the desire of the toolmaker. At 31 there is a compound bend. In FIGURE 1 the bend is shown in the included angle 32. This is an inward bend toward the operator. In FIGURE 2 the downward bend is at a greater angle with the included angle of the bend shown as 33. The handle 34 is a continuation of'the compound bend made at 31. The handle 34 is normally grasped by the left hand of the operator going upwardly in a counterclockwise direction. Adjacent to but spaced from the front end of the tool 10 is a boss or stud 35 to which a T- shaped handle 36 is adjustably secured. This handle 36 is normally grasped by the right hand of the operator with the leg. or shaft of the handle going between the fingers so that the cross bar rests within the palm of the right hand. The hand positions are changed coming downwardly. The front end of the tool also has a compound curve at 37. In the plan view of FIGURE 1 the compound curve is shown by the included angle 38. In the side elevational View of FIGURE 2 the curve is shown by the included angle 40. The boat shaped head 41 of the tool is secured to the substantial shank 42 in any suitable manner or may be formed integral therewith. The compound curve 37 results in a twist so that the head 41 is angled upwardly outward. It is provided with a central opening 43, the base 44 of which is wide enough to just accommodate the width of the sealing strip 23. The underneath portion of the base 44 curves downwardly and rearwardly to form a pressure heel. The prow 45 of the boat shaped head 41 is rounded so as to presenta smooth entry into the channel 21. Around the perimeter of the boat shaped head there is an internal groove 46 which is adapted to receive the locking ridges 22 of the channel 21 and both guide in and maintain the tool in the operative position for inserting the sealing strip 23. Preferably the upper surface'47 of the front end of the boat shaped head is beveled downwardly and inwardly so that the sealing strip. will flow evenly therethrough from front to rear. The tip 50 of the sealing strip 23 guides uniformly in the apex 48 of the boat shaped head, and continuously maintains the proper positioning of the sealing strip 23 for positioning in the groove 21.

Operation To accomplish the sealing of the glass pane 14 in the yieldable member 11, a continuous length of the sealing strip 23 sufiicient for the entire circumference has its beginning end inserted through the opening 43 of the head in a downwardly, rearwardly position with the apex 50 of the strip guiding the prow portion 45 of the head portion 41. In this loaded form the prow 45 of the tool head is inserted in the groove 21 of the yielding mount so that the peripheral groove 46 of the tool engages the locking ridges 22. In this position the hands of the operator are inwardly of the perimeter of the frame at all times when the tool is grasped as is normally done with the handle 34 in the left hand of the operator and the handle 36 in the right hand. As the tool is moved forwardly in a counterclockwise direction, guided by the head 41, the channel 21 is spread so as to receive the sealing strip 23 and the heel 44 of the rearward portion of the head pushes the strip 23 into proper position within the channel 21 as shown in FIGURE 5. As the tool is moved along, the stretching of the width of the channel 21 is released with the locking ridges 22 engaging the channels 24 of the locking strip. With this one movement the locking strip 23 is positioned in place and locked therein. This placement not only seals itself in position but it distorts the tongue 25 of the yieldable mounting 11 and puts pressure on the pane or panel '14. This pressure, although firm and yieldable, is sufiicient to weatherseal the panel 14 in position and hold it against rattles and leaks.

In the event a pane is broken or damaged and should be removed, all that isnecessary is to take a sharp tool such as an awl or a pick and stick this into the exposed outer surface of the sealing strip 23. By lifting and pulling outwardly the sealing strip 23 will become dislodged from its locked position, and once dislodged in any area, the strip can easily be removed by just pulling on it.

The tool is designed for a right-handed person working counter-clockwise, however, it is to be understood a tool for a left-handed person working clockwise is just the reverse of that shown herein.

We claim:

1. A tool for setting resilient looking strips in resilient mountings for panels and the like, a shank of relatively long length strong enough to withstand bending or deformation in use, a compound curve in the shank adjacent the rearward end to which is secured a gripping handle, a compound curve at the head end of said shank of short '5 duration terminating in open boat shaped head, said head having a continuous peripheral groove at the prow and both sides, with an aperture through the center portion to permit a resilient locking strip to pass therethrough and a gripping handle on said shank intermediate of the handle and said head.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the rearward compound curve is inwardly and downwardly and the compound curve at the head end is inwardly and angled upwardly outward.

3. The tool of claim 2 wherein the intermediate gripping handle is adjustable and directed inwardly.

6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT C. RIORDON, Primary Examiner.

J. C. PETERS, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 29-270 

